How to Install TeamViewer on Ubuntu?

In today’s world, remote desktop software is essential for personal and professional use. Whether you need to support a client, collaborate with a colleague, or access your own computer from a distance, TeamViewer is one of the most reliable and popular tools available. With cross-platform compatibility, including Ubuntu Linux, it allows you to control a computer remotely, transfer files, and even hold online meetings.

This guide will walk you through the steps to install TeamViewer on Ubuntu, making it easy to get up and running with this powerful remote desktop application. Even if you’re new to Ubuntu or remote desktop tools, you’ll find the instructions easy to follow.

What is TeamViewer?

TeamViewer is a remote access and remote control software that allows users to connect to other devices over the internet. It enables full control of the remote system, file sharing, and even online meetings. TeamViewer supports various platforms, including Windows, macOS, Linux, and mobile devices, making it highly versatile.

Whether you’re a professional IT support provider or a casual user needing remote access to a computer, TeamViewer provides a secure and seamless experience. It’s designed to be easy to use, even for people who have never worked with remote access tools before.

Why Use TeamViewer on Ubuntu?

Ubuntu, one of the most popular Linux distributions, has a large and growing user base. However, for users new to Ubuntu or Linux in general, installing and configuring software can sometimes be a challenge. TeamViewer bridges that gap by providing a simple interface that works seamlessly on Ubuntu, allowing users to:

Access remote systems: If you’re working from home, you can remotely connect to a work machine, server, or any other computer.
Support others: IT professionals can offer remote troubleshooting or support to users who need assistance.
Collaborate on projects: TeamViewer can be used to share desktops, transfer files, or conduct meetings, even on Ubuntu.

TeamViewer’s cross-platform compatibility and ease of use make it an excellent choice for remote desktop access on Ubuntu.

System Requirements

Before proceeding with the installation, ensure your system meets the following requirements:

Ubuntu Version: Ubuntu 20.04 LTS or later (the steps in this guide are for Ubuntu 20.04 but should also work for newer versions).
Processor: Any processor capable of running a modern desktop environment should suffice.
RAM: At least 2GB of RAM.
Disk Space: Approximately 100MB of available disk space for the TeamViewer application.
Internet Connection: A stable internet connection is required for remote access to other machines.

Once you’ve ensured that your system meets these requirements, you can move on to the installation process.

Step 1: Update Your Ubuntu System

Before you install any software, it’s always a good idea to update your system to ensure that all existing packages are up to date. This can prevent conflicts and ensure smooth installation.

Open Terminal: You can open the terminal by pressing Ctrl + Alt + T.
Run the following commands to update your system: sudo apt update sudo apt upgrade -y

The update command refreshes the list of available packages, and the upgrade command updates any installed packages to their latest versions.

Step 2: Download TeamViewer for Ubuntu

To install TeamViewer on Ubuntu, you’ll first need to download the TeamViewer .deb package. Ubuntu uses .deb packages for software installations, so TeamViewer provides a .deb file that’s easy to install on your system.

Go to the official TeamViewer website: TeamViewer Downloads.
Select the correct version for your system. Choose Debian/Ubuntu from the available options.
Download the .deb file: Once you’ve selected the correct version, download the .deb package for Ubuntu.

Alternatively, you can download the package directly through the terminal using wget:

wget https://download.teamviewer.com/download/linux/teamviewer_amd64.deb

This will download the TeamViewer installer directly to your current directory.

Step 3: Install TeamViewer on Ubuntu

Once the TeamViewer .deb package is downloaded, you can install it using the dpkg command or through Ubuntu Software.

Option 1: Install Using the Terminal

Navigate to the directory where the .deb file is located, using the cd command: cd /path/to/download/folder
Install the .deb package: sudo dpkg -i teamviewer_amd64.deb
Resolve any missing dependencies: If there are any missing dependencies, the installation might fail. To resolve this, run: sudo apt --fix-broken install

Option 2: Install Using Ubuntu Software

Alternatively, you can double-click the .deb file and install it through Ubuntu Software. This method provides a graphical interface to install TeamViewer.

Step 4: Start and Configure TeamViewer

Once the installation is complete, you can start TeamViewer.

Option 1: Start TeamViewer via Terminal

Launch TeamViewer by typing the following command in the terminal: teamviewer

Option 2: Start TeamViewer via Application Menu

Search for TeamViewer in the application menu by pressing the Super key (Windows key) and typing “TeamViewer”.
Click on the TeamViewer icon to launch the application.

When you open TeamViewer for the first time, you’ll be asked to agree to the End User License Agreement (EULA). Once you accept it, TeamViewer will initialize and you’ll be presented with its main interface.

Step 5: Using TeamViewer on Ubuntu

Now that you’ve installed and launched TeamViewer, let’s look at how to use it.

Accessing a Remote Computer

Enter the Partner ID: To connect to another computer, you’ll need the Partner ID of the remote system. You can get this ID from the TeamViewer client on the remote system.
Enter the password: Once the Partner ID is entered, you’ll be prompted to enter the password associated with that system.
Control the remote machine: After successfully logging in, you’ll have full access to the remote system’s desktop, and you can control it as if you were sitting in front of it.

File Transfer

TeamViewer also allows you to transfer files between the local and remote systems. To use this feature:

Go to the “File transfer” option in the TeamViewer interface.
Choose the files you wish to send from the local system to the remote machine, or vice versa.

Online Meetings

You can use TeamViewer to conduct online meetings by sharing your screen and communicating with others. This is a great feature for team collaboration.

Troubleshooting Common Installation Issues

1. Missing Dependencies

If the installation fails due to missing dependencies, try running the following command to resolve them:

sudo apt --fix-broken install

2. TeamViewer Not Starting

If TeamViewer doesn’t launch after installation, try reinstalling it or check the log files for errors:

teamviewer --daemon restart

3. Network Issues

Ensure that your system has an active internet connection, as TeamViewer requires it to connect to remote systems.

Conclusion

Install TeamViewer on Ubuntu 20.04 is a simple process that involves downloading the .deb package, installing it, and configuring it for use. Whether you need remote access to another computer, want to collaborate with others, or provide IT support, TeamViewer is an excellent tool for Ubuntu users.

By following the steps outlined in this guide, you should now be able to install, configure, and use TeamViewer to connect to remote machines with ease. If you encounter any issues during the installation process, the troubleshooting tips provided should help resolve them.

If this guide helped you install TeamViewer on Ubuntu, share it with others or leave a comment below with your experience. Need more tutorials? Check out our other articles on how to install solutions!